Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk SLK Halo Control
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 83), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Too close to call
71 vs 69
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
90 vs 81
Control
Too close to call
94 vs 93
Forgiveness
88 vs 82
Hand speed
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
98 vs 111 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$119 at IQ 83 vs $333 at IQ 84.1
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · $333 · IQ 84.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 71Power69
- 94Control93
- 90Spin81
- 82Forgiveness88
- 81Sweet spot89
- 84Stability84
- 97Maneuverability76
- 70Pop64
- 92Touch90
- 87Consistency88
- 47Swing weight58
- 77Twist weight79
- 46Launch angle57
- 59Plow through66
- 90Softness91
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk SLK Halo Control specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 | Selkirk SLK Halo Control |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $333 | $119 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.1 — better | 83 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 98 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.2 |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 15.95 | 16.1 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 Carbon | Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | BoomCore™ | Rev-Core polymer |
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 verdict
The widebody Boomstik keeps BoomCore's power but spreads it across a 15.95 x 8.0 in face, which is the most forgiving version of Selkirk's flagship platform.
Selkirk SLK Halo Control verdict
The softest, most muted feel we rate under $150. If your first goal is keeping third-shot drops in the kitchen instead of hitting winners, this is the paddle that teaches touch fastest.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 scores 97 against 76 for Selkirk SLK Halo Control — a 21-point gap. They are effectively level on power, touch, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk SLK Halo Control is $214 cheaper at $119.
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 21 points (97 vs 76).
Swing weight
Selkirk SLK Halo Control leads by 11 points (58 vs 47).
Launch angle
Selkirk SLK Halo Control leads by 11 points (57 vs 46).
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 9 points (90 vs 81).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Selkirk SLK Halo Control
Selkirk SLK Halo Control is a narrow pick at this level — sweet spot 89 vs 81, forgiveness 88 vs 82, twist weight 79 vs 77. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is the clearer pick at this level — maneuverability 97 vs 76, spin 90 vs 81, power 71 vs 69. At 98 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 97 vs 76, spin 90 vs 81, power 71 vs 69. Swing weight 98 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk SLK Halo Control
Selkirk SLK Halo Control is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 88 vs 82, softness 91 vs 90, twist weight 79 vs 77. Its 16 mm Rev-Core polymer core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Softness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 if you want maneuverability (+21), spin (+9), pop (+6). Its swing weight of 98 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 review →Selkirk SLK Halo Control
Take Selkirk SLK Halo Control if you want swing weight (+11), launch angle (+11), sweet spot (+8). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk SLK Halo Control review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk SLK Halo Control FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the Selkirk SLK Halo Control?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 83), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 21 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 98 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Selkirk SLK Halo Control. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the Selkirk SLK Halo Control?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 scores 71 for power against 69 for Selkirk SLK Halo Control. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore™ core swinging at 98 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 at 94 versus 93. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 scores 90 for spin off its Multistrata T700 Carbon face, against 81 for the Toray T700 carbon face on Selkirk SLK Halo Control. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 82). Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 actually carries the higher twist weight (6.5 vs 6.2), but Selkirk SLK Halo Control makes it back on sweet spot (89) and overall face stability.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control costs $119, $214 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16: 16 mm BoomCore™ core with a Multistrata T700 Carbon face. Selkirk SLK Halo Control: 16 mm Rev-Core polymer core with a Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk SLK Halo Control at 8.1 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 98) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk SLK Halo Control to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads on maneuverability by 21 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $333 vs $119, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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- SLK Halo Control vs Ruby
- SLK Halo Control vs Prism Flash
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Also worth comparing
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- SLK Halo Control vs Tempest Wave V3
- SLK Halo Control vs Black Ace LG
- SLK Halo Control vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- SLK Halo Control vs Tempest Pro C 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 and Selkirk SLK Halo Control in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 and Selkirk SLK Halo Control. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.